LOCAL PRESS

 

Stoltenberg, Vucic speak by phone (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika/Novosti)

 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic by phone on Monday and requested that all parties in disputes relating to Kosovo and Metohija refrain from steps that would cause an escalation, as well as from unilateral moves that would threaten peace and stability. Vucic noted that Pristina was brutally violating the Brussels agreement through unilateral moves including a dismissal of Nenad Djuric, regional police chief for the north of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as through illegitimate actions regarding vehicle licence plates and an almost ten year-long refusal to form a Community of Serb Municipalities. He said that, in spite of this, Serbia was striving to maintain peace and stability and would remain committed to that. Vucic and Stoltenberg also discussed the significance of the role of KFOR and direct contacts between the Serbian Armed Forces chief of general staff and the commander of NATO forces in Kosovo and Metohija. Stoltenberg noted that NATO appreciated the cooperation established with Serbia as a militarily neutral country, the presidential press office said in a statement.

 

Strong strategic partnership between Serbia, People's Republic of China (Tanjug/Novosti)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met with special representative at the China-CEEC Secretariat Ambassador Jiang Yu, with whom she discussed bilateral relations and further cooperation within this mechanism. Brnabic assessed that the two countries have a strong strategic partnership and steel friendship, which is at the highest level in their history, and emphasised that Serbia and the new government remain on that path. She emphasised that Serbia is very active in the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, which since its establishment has grown into a format of comprehensive cooperation, not only between Serbia and the People's Republic of China, but also with all the countries of the CEEC region, and that it is at the top of the list of countries with the greatest number of implemented projects. Also, Brnabic expressed her satisfaction that Belgrade will host the 8th China-CEEC Think Tank Symposium on 16 November 2022. Yiang Yu confirmed the importance of relations between Serbia and China, as well as the readiness for further all-round strengthening of the strategic partnership and friendship between our two peoples. She expressed satisfaction with the upward trend in economic relations between the two countries and emphasised the potential for their further enrichment in various fields. The Ambassador emphasised that it is important that Serbia, through its participation in the "Belt and Road" initiative, has become one of the links of the China-Europe Express Transport Corridor, which is supported by the trilateral project of modernisation of the Belgrade-Budapest railway. Brnabic once again thanked the People's Republic of China for its principled position regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija.

 

Dacic: Pristina to make EU bid (RTS/Tanjug)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister stated that Serbia received information that Prime Minister of Kosovo will submit a request for admission to the EU in December. "Kurti, in his insane euphoria, wants to submit an application for admission to the EU in December, i.e. for the beginning of that process, for Kosovo to receive candidate status. This is serious information that we have from the EU, that it is being planned, and that is why we made the decision to urgently talk, just in case, with all the countries that do not recognize Kosovo," Ivica Dacic told reporters in Sofia. He participates in the meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the Central European Initiative. Dacic stated that he came to Sofia to meet the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov with this information, but he also pointed out that the most important meeting today was with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter Szijjarto, who, as he said, is, besides Viktor Orban, undoubtedly one of our greatest friends. Dacic said that he had spoken with the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs on this occasion, and that tomorrow he will be on a bilateral visit to Greece, and that he intends to contact the Romanian, Spanish and Cypriot Foreign Ministers so that, as he said, no negative surprise happens. "We think it's impossible, but that's why the meeting with Szijjarto was important to me and I can convey his very firm words that Hungary will not support if there is such a request to start the accession process by Kosovo, as it will not support the consideration of the proposal for membership in the Council of Europe", said Dacic. He added that this is very important information for Serbia, stating that it is a consequence of the good relations between President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as well as the relations between the two countries, which and fraternal. "I think it is very important because in the EU no decision can be made without consensus. It is important for us at this moment to prevent all possible surprises and for it to be an additional factor of pressure for our country", said Dacic. He stated that Bulgaria has a different approach, reminding that that country recognized the independence of Kosovo. "Hungary also acknowledges it, but they believe that for any further story it is necessary to have an agreement, that is, a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. As long as there is no such agreement, Hungary will not support Pristina's unilateral actions", said Dacic. He said that Serbia will talk with all EU countries and that it is very important that everyone understands what is happening in Kosovo and Metohija. "We are in favor of the Brussels agreement, unlike Kurti who does not want to implement the agreement, and that is why we are not satisfied when the EU issues statements in which it calls out to all parties, and there is no reason for it as far as Serbia is concerned, on the contrary," Dacic added. Dacic pointed out that the Brussels agreement has two parts, one is the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, and the other is the participation of Serbs in the institutions, stating that the second will not happen until the first is in place. "Nine years is a really long period," Dacic concluded.

 

Vucevic: KFOR must make up for Serb police officers in northern Kosovo and Metohija (TV Pink)

 

Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said on Tuesday Serbs would return to institutions in the north of Kosovo and Metohija once Pristina started delivering on its commitments and respecting the Brussels agreement. "The Serbs will return to institutions, this is not a permanent departure from institutions, but a suspension until an implementation of the Brussels Agreement and fulfilment of commitments by Pristina. The Serbian side has fulfilled everything, while the Albanian side has fulfilled nothing," Vucevic noted. He said the situation in Kosovo and Metohija was calm but that tensions were very high due to the Pristina administration's unilateral moves. He added that this could lead to further escalation and a degradation of everything that should have been done through the dialogue format. "The situation became extremely delicate after the dismissal of Nenad Djuric, who was the regional police commander in the North region, and the Serbs' decision to leave all institutions in the territory of the province," Vucevic said. He said the Serbs had reacted in a democratic and dignified way but that their decision had been a forced move resulting from decisions by Pristina. "It was not a display of power by the Serbs, it was a forced move... The people are worried and, on the other hand, responsible, the people in Kosovo and Metohija are cornered, which has been going on for 23 years now," Vucevic said. He said that the international peacekeeping forces in Kosovo, KFOR, must make up for the Serb police officers who had left the service in northern Kosovo and Metohija because, as he put it, it would be "disastrous to let Premier Albin Kurti send over police from the south of Kosovo". Vucevic told TV Pink that he did not expect KFOR, as an army, to become the police, but that it was important that it "essentially does the work regarding the security of all citizens in Kosovo and Metohija". "(KFOR must) make sure that ROSU or other Kosovo police units do not enter the north of Kosovo now, that Albanian judges and prosecutors do not come and manage cases against Serbs and that the persecution of Serbs continues in a legal form," he said. In his words, the Kosovo security forces are turning into armed forces by someone's decision and someone is arming them, which they have no right to under earlier agreements. "Someone is creating an army in Kosovo, bypassing KFOR, contrary to Resolution 1244, contrary to the Kumanovo Military Technical Agreement. That is something we as a state are carefully watching," stressed Vucevic.  He underscored that the EU must say whether Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti "has annulled the Brussels agreement" through Pristina's latest decisions.

 

Petkovic: Gathering in north Kosovo and Metohija magnificent (Tanjug/RTV)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic assessed that yesterday’s gathering of Serbs in North Mitrovica was a magnificent event in which about 10,000 people participated, with a unique message that only Serbia is their country. Petkovic assessed that the gathering is a clear indication that the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija can no longer endure Albin Kurti’s terror. “The message ‘enough is enough’ contains all the suffering of our people, who have been crying out for the last 10 years for the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO),” Petkovic told TV Pink. He stated that everyone’s message is that leaving the institutions of Pristina is a forced move, but also an exclusively democratic act. “Serbs are showing in peaceful ways that they can no longer tolerate lawlessness,” he said. Petkovic assessed that the ZSO is the backbone and heart of the Brussels agreement, i.e. a mechanism for the protection of collective and individual rights of Serbs. He said that they attacked the Serbs again last night and stated that a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the house of Zoran Trajkovic, who had been attacked before. “He said that this is another example of intimidation, and that the number of incidents has increased and that there are over 240 of them since Kurti has been here,” he said and assessed that the anti-Serb rhetoric from Pristina is a fertile ground for extremists who then attack everyone which is Serbian. He stated that there is also institutional violence that no one will tolerate anymore, and that the EU has been warned that it must reach the community of municipalities as soon as possible. Petkovic assessed that there is a huge nervousness in Pristina after the protest in North Mitrovica, that they are trying to hide and downplay the protest with propaganda, but that the photos deny them. He assessed that Serbs have been in Pristina institutions for 10 years, which shows that Serbia has fulfilled everything according to the Brussels agreement, and Kurti has not even established the ZSO, he has yet to create one. Kurti’s messages from Berlin that he was not interested in the community of municipalities were arrogant. “And what interests him? To expel Serbs, to build illegal police bases in the North, to impose license plates?” asked Petkovic and pointed out that according to the Brussels agreement, Kurti has no right to replace Nenad Djuric in the police, who is proposed by four mayors of municipalities from the North. Petkovic said that pogroms and storms will not happen in Kosovo and Metohija, because Serbia and President Vucic are there. “The Albanian boot will not set foot in the North, and bring order, contrary to the Brussels agreement. The Serbs demand respect for the Brussels agreement, and the ZSO,” he repeated. Speaking about the reactions of Western countries towards Kurti, Petkovic said that they should have been harsher earlier, and not only after the Serbs left the institutions. “Now the West is reacting more harshly to Kurti, and why didn’t they do it earlier, should the Serbs have left the institutions so that they would have remembered that. They are trying to wash their conscience and responsibility by calling for an agreement through a comprehensive agreement, where everything will be one package. And what did we do for 10 years, and what about the obligations from the 48 signed agreements, that all of that falls into the water, that the EU is not responsible for anything, it can’t be like that,” he said. Petkovic repeated that the Serbs are the responsible party that fulfills the agreed upon. “We are not like Pristina, we are going in the direction of preserving peace and stability, to fulfill what was agreed,” he said. He added that the conclusions of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are that there is no going back until the formation of the ZSO, and the annulment of Kurti’s decision. “Serbs just want to preserve the Brussels order in Kosovo, I guess the world should support that,” said Petkovic and added that he cannot believe that Kurti does not listen to any of the Western countries.

 

Petkovic with Chinese Ambassador (Tanjug)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic yesterday discussed the situation in the province with Chinese Ambassador Chen Bo, especially in light of the latest decision of the Serb people there to leave Kosovo's institutions. He also explained what motivated that decision. Petkovic conveyed to his interlocutor the firm determination of Belgrade, but also of the Serbs in the area of Kosovo and Metohija, to preserve peace and stability, stressing that the latest moves are a consequence of Albin Kurti's constant terror and violence against our people in the province. In this light, the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija particularly singled out Kurti's last statement made in Berlin that he would never form the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), as well as the illegal and unlawful sacking of Nenad Djuric, only because he did not want to issue warnings to his Serb people. In this way, Kurti directly mocked the Brussels agreement and the European Union, which is the guarantor of the implementation of the said agreement, Petkovic noted, and added: "Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have suffered for too long both the physical and institutional violence at the hands of Albin Kurti and Pristina. They were banned from voting in the elections, from declaring themselves in a referendum, from getting vaccinated against Covid in Kosovo and Metohija at the peak of the pandemic, special (Pristina police) units invaded the north of the province every day, defying of all agreements, and on top of all that, our people have been waiting for 10 years for the ZSO to be formed." He underlined that leaving Pristina's institutions is not a move by which the Serbs want to destroy or cancel the Brussels agreement, but to fight for the document to be respected, as each of them has respected all the obligations assumed over the past 10 years. "The Serbs are not threatening anyone, they just want to live in peace in their centuries-old homesteads and for their human rights to be respected, and with their moral act they defended the Brussels agreement, but also international public law," he said. He particularly thanked Ambassador Chen Bo for the great friendship and support that China provides in respect to Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the principled respect for international public law and UN Security Council Resolution (1244).

 

Serbia, Greece committed to additionally improving cooperation (Tanjug/RTV)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic talked today, during his official visit to Greece, with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou about the improvement of bilateral relations, European path of Serbia, current situation in the region and the projects and plans for overcoming the energy crisis. The two officials agreed that the bilateral relations of the two countries are at a very high level, and that they will continue to work together on their additional improvement. Dacic voiced hope that in the close future the fourth regular meeting of the High Council for Cooperation between the two countries will take place, owing to which this cooperation has been raised to the level of strategic partnership. He also expressed hope that the Greek President will visit Serbia soon, given that she has an open invitation. He thanked Sakellaropoulou on the support of Greece to Serbia’s sovereignty and underlined that such a consistent stance is of huge importance for us. The two officials also agreed that Europe is going through one of the most difficult energy crises in history and that common projects, such as the construction of a gas interconnection, represent a safe way for a stable energy supply. At the end, President Sakellaropoulou extended her congratulations to Dacic on his recent assumption of a new office and said that she is glad that his first official visit is to Greece precisely.

 

Stano: De-escalation priority for Kosovo (N1)

 

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said on Monday that de-escalation is the priority for Kosovo and that further developments could affect the entire region. He said that the authorities in Pristina have a clear obligation to form the Community of Serb Municipalities immediately or take steps to that effect. Stano warned that the continued failure to meet that obligation undermines rule of law and damages the credibility of Kosovo. Stano appealed to both sides to find a European solution. According to him, the way out of the current situation lies in fulfilling obligations and returning to the European Union facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. He said that no one could prevent incidents leading to violence with another crisis in Europe. The EU, Serbia and Kosovo can’t afford that nor can the region, Stano said.

 

KFOR: We remain vigilant, all parties to maintain dialogue (KoSSev)

 

The KFOR Commander is in close contact with all authorities in Kosovo, KFOR remains vigilant and there has been no change in our position, said this NATO-led mission when asked by KoSSev to comment on the security situation in Kosovo and on whether any new measures have been taken following the latest events in north Kosovo. Political and institutional Serb representatives, including the police and the judiciary, decided this week to withdraw from all Kosovo institutions in the north, KoSSev reported. The decision was followed by accusations from Pristina that it is an attempt to “destabilize Kosovo,” and, on the other hand, by Belgrade’s claims that the Serbs in north Kosovo were forced to make this move because of the Kosovo government decisions that were, as they say, aimed against them. International and NATO and KFOR representatives have called on both sides to turn to dialogue and refrain from unilateral actions. KFOR told KoSSev that it is in close contact with all Kosovo authorities but that they remain vigilant. KFOR members are closely monitoring the situation on the ground and we continue to enforce our mandate in line with the 1999 UN Security Council Resolution 1244 to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all in Kosovo, said KFOR, adding that it is essential that all parties maintain dialogue for the sake of security in Kosovo and stability in the region.

 

Harshest condemnation of threats directed at daily Danas (Tanjug)

 

The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications condemned today in the harshest terms the threats directed at the editors, journalists and columnists of the daily newspaper Danas.

It is impermissible for disagreement with the editorial policy of the media to be expressed by threating the lives of media employees and the personal safety and professional integrity of journalists and media workers. Under the law, the public information is free, it is not subject to censorship and the editorial autonomy of the media must not be threatened by pressures, threats and blackmail of editors, journalists or sources of information, according to the statement.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Covic announces meeting with eight opposition political parties (Nova BH)

 

After a meeting of the HDZ B&H Presidency held on Monday, HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic said that according to the new B&H Election Law all activities related to executive and legislative authorities should be finalized within 30 days from the day of publishing the final election results. He announced for Tuesday a meeting with eight opposition political parties, that signed an agreement on cooperation in Sarajevo, as a start of negotiations on formation of the new authority. Nova BH reminds that Covic earlier said that HDZ B&H is willing to hold talks with all political parties with the exception of DF. Addressing the press conference, Covic said: “From our side, we go ahead with clear objectives, i.e. to talk with those who can form legitimate majorities - it is clear what legitimate majorities are. Although they are calculated slightly differently at the level of the FB&H than at the level of B&H, the basic message is the same. The first official meeting with those gentlemen will be held tomorrow at 1100hrs here in HDZ B&H building.” Referring to the FB&H House of Peoples (HoP), Covic said the situation is simple in relation to the Croat Caucus, however there may be issues regarding the Serb Caucus and the Caucus of the Others in the FB&H HoP, due to which help from the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) will be necessary. Covic also announced talks with SNSD for the next week in Mostar, noting he expects all talks to be finalized within next 15 days. “We first need to see whether we have parliamentary majority, because these are partnerships. Then, we will probably form coalitions – if we have a common four-year program, that is a coalition. This time, we would like to form a coalition based on the program, that will primarily be the Euro-Atlantic package that includes all reforms necessary for the (EU) candidate status and that is possible this year, thanks to the B&H Election Law. The second (part of the program) would be the rule of law with all its aspects - something we do not have today - and the third would be the socio-economic package,” said Covic

 

Zvizdic on formation of new authorities (O Kanal)

 

In an interview for O Kanal, representative of NiP Denis Zvizdic talked about formation of new authorities. Among other things, Zvizdic said that there are two processes in this regard, adding that first one is a transparent process, one that is in line with positive parliamentary practices. He emphasized that the other one is non-transparent, adding that it is the process aimed to form majorities on the ground of very suspicious coalitions and on the ground of rather suspicious transfer of politicians from one to other political party. Zvizdic underlined that the public has been too focused to a number of delegates in Bosniak Caucus in the FB&H House of Peoples (HoP), adding that many forget there are three Caucuses and that it is important who can form majority in the House of Peoples etc. He also stated that the coalition agreement signed by eight parties enables them to participate in formation of authorities at the FB&H and state level as a political bloc with the biggest coalition capacity. NiP’s Zvizdic stressed that according to principle of rotation, the future Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) should be from the rank of Croat people, adding that a candidate for this position will probably be nominated by HDZ B&H. Talking about possible participation of SNSD in future B&H authorities, Zvizdic stated that the number of demands presented by leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik has been increasing. He emphasized that Dodik cannot be choosing which ministries his party will get and who will be their partners, because partners can be only those who have coalition capacity. “At the same time, SNSD is not unavoidable in process of formation of authorities at B&H level”, concluded Zvizdic.

 

Six political parties in ZDC sign coalition agreement (Nova BH)

 

Nova BH reports that, at the meeting held on Monday in Zenica, the two political parties signed a coalition agreement with four other political parties, i.e. NiP, ‘Our Party’, NES and DF, thus reaching an agreement to form a new government in the ZDC without SDA and HDZ B&H. Nova BH reports that political party representatives also mentioned the possibility of expanding the coalition, however such decision would require a consensus among all six political parties. The reporter notes that it is already clear that the post of the ZDC Prime Minister will belong to ‘BH Initiative – Fuad Kasumovic’, and goes on to say that political party representatives also discussed ministerial posts, however they have not reached agreement on that yet. Nova BH reports that the signing of the coalition agreement was preceded by negotiations, and ‘BH Initiative’ leader Fuad Kasumovic said on Monday he had also talked with HDZ B&H and SDA during the negotiation process. Addressing the press conference after the meeting, Kasumovic said the coalition won around 83,000 votes, i.e. “absolute majority at the cantonal level. After the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) published the results, we held numerous talks and, in the end, we formed a strong coalition based on clean foundations”. Referring to speculations that ministerial posts were already distributed, Kasumovic said: “We talked about all issues, including ministries, however that has never been agreed nor finalized. Therefore, we will work transparently and inform you about that the moment we reach agreement.”

 

Dodik announces rapid formation of new RS government led by Viskovic (N1)

 

SNSD leader and newly-elected RS President Milorad Dodik has announced rapid formation of the new RS government and that current RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic will be the new Prime Minister-designate. Government formation talks between leaders of political parties gathered around the SNSD-led coalition will be held this week. Asked to about the composition of new RS government, SNSD coalition partners refused to comment on the issue and said that it is too early to talk about this until the official meeting of the ruling coalition, which will be held by the end of the week. They also refused to give answers to hypothetical question if they as the partner parties’ leaders will be at the helm of some of the ministries in the government. Compared to the current RS parliament, in a new parliament SNSD will have two seats more – 29, SP RS will have two seats less – five, DEMOS will also have five seats, ‘United Srpska’ will have four seats and NPS will have one seat less – three. The current ruling coalition could have seven more seats - four seats of DNS and three seats of SPS, the parties that were not part of the ruling structures before. DNS and SPS’ support to Dodik could make possible for SNSD to have four delegates in the House of Peoples (HoP) of B&H, which is majority he wants to achieve. Along with that, Dodik would also have a two-thirds majority in the RS parliament with DNS and SPS’ support.

 

Office of Serb member of B&H Presidency requests establishing of communication chain, calls for responsibility due to failure to agree on vote of B&H mission to UN (RTRS)

 

The office of Serb member of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik requested establishing of an official communication chain due to failure to agree on the vote of the B&H mission to the UN, after the latest move by B&H Ambassador to the UN Sven Alkalaj before the UN Security Council in New York, where he voted against the resolution on the fight against Nazism contrary to the stance of B&H Presidency. Dodik’s office called for sanctions and responsibility of everyone in the communication chain who contributed to such a vote, stressing that immediate disciplinary proceeding needs to be launched against everyone who participated in historically and diplomatically inacceptable scenario for B&H.

 

Russian Embassy to B&H regrets B&H votes against resolution on fight against Nazism (Nezavisne)

 

The Russian Embassy to B&H stated that Russia regrets the information that B&H voted against the resolution on fight against glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other types of practices that contribute to escalation of modern forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and gender intolerance. The statement reminds that the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted on 4 November draft of the Russian resolution and that 105 states voted for the document, while 52 countries voted “No” and 15 abstained from voting. The Russian Embassy to B&H stated that it is especially said that B&H was among the states that opposed to the resolution that was drafted to prevent revision of the history reminding that B&H used to support the Russian project and it even was one of the co-authors. The Russian Embassy to B&H assessed that they observe this as an attack on the traditions of antifascism that are strong in this area which is exclusively caused by wrongly-understood values and unjustified sharpened sense of solidarity with the West in the context of the Ukrainian crisis. According to the Russian Embassy to B&H, it is unacceptable that the issue of neo-Nacism is observed as merchandise to bargain with in attempts of the so-called collective West for showdown with Russia.

 

Chinese Ambassador to B&H Ping visits Banja Luka; Ping: Issue of existence of Office of High Representative is causing big controversies in B&H (ATV)

 

China's Ambassador to B&H Ji Ping was in Banja Luka on Monday where he met with the RS officials. With SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, Ping talked about infrastructural projects in the RS that Chinese companies participate in. Ping also met with the RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic and the RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic. They discussed joint projects in the areas of energy, road infrastructure, healthcare and further improvement of their cooperation. Ping also commented on the political situation in B&H, namely the changes to B&H Election Law imposed by Christian Schmidt (High Representative to B&H) in the election night. Ping was quoted as saying: “We think that the issue of the existence of the Office of the High Representative is causing big controversies in B&H, and we believe that the Office of the High Representative and his Bonn Powers are special arrangements for a special period. After all, B&H is a sovereign country and we believe that the people of B&H can solve their problems by themselves, with their ability and wisdom.”

 

Djukanovic returns Law on President to parliament for re-decision (CdM)

 

The President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic has returned the Law on Amendments to the Law on the President of Montenegro to the parliament for re-decision, says Boris Bastijancic, adviser to the President for the constitutional system and legal issues. Bastijancic has recalled that at the 3rd session of the second regular (autumn) sitting in 2022, on 2 November 2022, the Law on Amendments to the Law on the President of Montenegro was adopted by the votes of 41 MPs. According to him, the letter from the President of Montenegro has been delivered to the parliament speaker today, in which he points out that the potential promulgation of this law, its entry into force and the actions of the President of Montenegro in accordance with its text, effect, meaning and spirit would inevitably open up the issue of preserving constitutionality and legality, and legal certainty in the political and legal system of the state. He adds that the parliamentary organization of government, which is in force in Montenegro, as one of the classified forms of government in the constitutional and general theory of law, as well as in legal and political practice, would fundamentally slip and actually transform into a centralized parliamentary system, not through the well-known and foreseen complex constitutional procedure of revising our highest legal act, but through the inadmissible derogation of constitutional norms by legal, i.e., normative encroachment on an unknown and unacceptable European-continental system of law – a system whose heritage is the heritage of the Montenegrin legal climate.

 

Milatovic urges Abazovic to dismiss Ivan Vukovic? (Pobjeda)

 

The leader of the ‘Europe Now’ Movement Jakov Milatovic urged the interim cabinet run by Dritan Abazovic to dismiss Ivan Vukovic as mayor of Podgorica, Pobjeda daily writes.

According to unofficial information of this daily, Milatovic’s request was backed by the leaders of the three electoral rolls, Jelena Borovinic Bojovic, Danilo Saranovic and Luka Rakcevic, at yesterday’s meeting held in NOVA (New Serb Democracy) headquarters in Podgorica. Pobjeda’s source adds that Abazovic will be encouraged to make that decision at the session of the government and it’s the reason they’re going to include URA in the local government in Podgorica even though they wouldn’t be part of it due to poor election result. Milatovic would ask for such decision of the government, which he himself confirmed by calling Vukovic the ‘illegal mayor”. The plan to dismiss the current mayor through a very disputable legal procedure was figured out in order to take over local power in the capital as soon as possible so that the winners of the recent election don’t have to wait for the appeals before the Constitutional Court to be solved. In that case, it’d mean that Vukovic is going to be mayor for at least six more months, Pobjeda says. The final election results may be announced after the Constitutional Court decides on the appeals. Meanwhile, Milatovic accused the President of the Capital’s Election Commission Vaselin Vukotic of “imagining that his will is stronger than the will of 62% of Podgorica residents who unequivocally voted for the change of power”.

 

PM Kovachevski calls for national unity over EU accession (All media)

 

EU membership is a top national interest and it should be treated as such. I expect everyone to be up to the task in the coming period and to do their best. EU is our only alternative and we should use the favorable period ahead and the support we’re getting so as to secure European and richer future for our citizens, present and future generations, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski stated after Monday’s meeting in parliament with parliamentary party leaders. He called the meeting, which included all parliamentary party leaders but two, positive. Yet, the prime minister said, there will be no conclusions from the meeting. The citizens, Kovachevski, should know that the EU integration process is not the project of one party and Parliament should send the message that it is a national project in which everyone must contribute. “Many challenges lie ahead. I told the parliamentary party leaders that parliament must function without disruptions as the legislative body is of crucial importance for our European path. All parties and all lawmakers must engaged to unblock processes and approve more effective solutions, especially judiciary-related laws that are key for rule of law and key for our European path and to restore public trust in the judiciary,” Kovachevski told the media. Inclusivity and unity over the EU accession issue is more than needed, it shouldn’t be used as a ground for political fight, urged the PM. “We mustn’t allow the constitutional changes we are obliged to under the European proposal with the parliament conclusions to be the hurdle we set ourselves. For the first time, the decisions depend on us and we will be responsible for any blockade that might arise,” Kovachevski said calling the stakeholders to be wise and take advantage of the favorable mood in the EU in our favor. According to him, political will and capacity is needed for acknowledging all the efforts made so far as soon as possible for the country to join the EU. “It’s no time to be divided. Now, it is the right time to seize the chance and meet the goal we have set with full capacity,” Kovachevski said adding he had proposed the establishment of a parliamentary group for European reforms. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PM Kovachevski said that the Parliament conclusions guarantee start of EU negotiations and a screening process with a language and identity that are guaranteed and a guarantee that historical issues are not included in the negotiating framework. He reiterated that the opening of negotiations is a major success for everyone in the country. “It is important to implement reforms for the citizens and to build institutions that will function according to European standards and principles,” the PM stated. The meeting was attended by parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi and the leaders of DUI-Ali Ahmeti, DOM-Maja Morachanin, VMRO-DPMNE-Hristijan Mickoski, Alternativa-Afrim Gashi, DS-Pavle 2 Trajanov, DPA-Menduh Thaci, AA-Arben Taravari, VMRO-NP-Ljupcho Balkoski, DPSM-Ivan Stoiljkovikj, NSDP-Goran Misovski, GROM-Stevche Jakimovski, Socialist Party-Ljupcho Dimovski, LDP-Monika Zajkova, Party of Pensioners-Ilija Nikolovski. Levica and BESA leaders, Dimitar Apasiev and Bilal Kasami respectively, refused to attend.

 

Mickoski: No majority for constitutional amendments, early elections a logical sequence of events (All media)

 

What I can conclude is that the majority doesn’t have majority for constitutional amendments, and based on such conclusion, a logical sequence of events is to dissolve the Parliament, form a caretaker government and go to early parliamentary elections, VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said after Monday’s leaders’ meeting in parliament. He criticized the government for what has been discussed at the leaders’ meeting, pointing out that instead of the real problems that the citizens are currently facing, the meeting discussed the opening of the Constitution and the constitutional amendments. “First of all, we regret that the government and the majority don’t listen enough to the real problems of the citizens, so at this meeting we didn’t discuss, for example, today’s latest data of 20 percent inflation or 31 percent increased prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages. These are the real issues that should be discussed at such meetings, at which politicians are those responsible and those who should help the citizens and discuss these topics. Unfortunately, today the majority missed this opportunity and because they missed this opportunity, the only topic that was in their focus was their interest in defocusing on everything where they are unsuccessful, i.e. the so-called constitutional amendments under the guise of some kind of a European future that they themselves trampled over many times in the past,” Mickoski pointed out. The VMRO-DPMNE leader pointed out this was a belated meeting, adding that consensus, and consultations with parliamentary political parties are done before decisions are made. Thus, Mickoski noted, post-festum consultations are unnecessary, frustrating, and only to avoid being declared as a coalition that is anti-state, non-constructive and contrary to the country’s future. “That’s why we decided to attend the meeting today, though aware that we may not discuss what troubles the citizens and that there will be no result from today’s meeting. I must say that a document that was distributed at the end of the meeting seemed a bit comical, as it was supposed to be some kind of conclusions, which we rejected and we don’t even want to comment on them at all, because that in itself is not a European step, it’s like saying here are the conclusions we need to agree on and adopt,” said Mickoski. He added that he has backed the proposal presented at the meeting by MP and leader of the Democratic Union, Pavle Trajanov, to call on the Bulgarian government to recognize the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria and, in doing so, to recognize the rights that are the result of the verdicts of the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. “I personally supported this conclusion and I regret that the others who are part of the ruling majority didn’t manage to go beyond themselves and support this conclusion so we can come out with a common conclusion and support our people on that part of the border. The coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE supported MP Pavle Trajanov who is also the leader of the Democratic Union, but apparently the ruling majority didn’t want to listen to such a thing,” Mickoski said.

 

Ahmeti: Opening issues of the past does not serve the future nor future generations (MIA)

 

Following Monday’s meeting of the parliamentary party leaders, DUI leader Ali Ahmeti said that the meeting was dominated by an open and constructive debate, calmness and rationality, and noted that such meetings should continue to be held until the differences between the parties are reconciled. “All issues were discussed. Of course, there were differences, but I hope that this meeting will not be the last and that these meetings continue until the differences between the political parties are reconciled so we can build a joint strategy on how to change the present and achieve greater progress in the future. I hope that this calm atmosphere remains until the differences are bridged,” said Ahmeti. He added that at the meeting he urged that it is time to overcome nostalgia and to return to rationality and reason, because “if the issues which belong in the past are opened, it would be difficult to build the future.” “Opening the issues of the past does not serve the future nor the future generations. We need to make more concrete steps towards the European Union, we are the ones seeking to become a part of this union, the conditions for membership have been set for us – rule of law, judicial reform, fight against crime and corruption and that no one is above the law. If we fulfill these conditions, not only by speaking poetically in front of the cameras, but also by working institutionally, we can achieve a complete real vetting of the country so that it can move forward and make progress,” said Ahmeti. In answer to a journalist’s question on whether the demand to remove the term “20 percent” from the Constitution was discussed as well, Ahmeti said that it was but that the priorities of the current situation should be assessed. “Yes, this was discussed, however, above all, priority was placed on the constitutional amendments and once the discussion is opened, then, of course, the priorities of the current situation will have to be assessed so that we can build a common position on this issue,” said the DUI leader. Ahmeti does not believe that the situation in the north of Kosovo can affect North Macedonia. “North Macedonia is a stable country and a part of significant processes, and, regardless of our differences, we all have to work together to strengthen peace, stability and security. I do not see anything dangerous from this aspect,” said Ahmeti.

 

AA fully support country’s EU integration process: leader (All media)

 

We are on our way to joining the EU, we have no other alternative. The Alliance for Albanians party fully supports the process and we will make utmost efforts to support the process, said Alliance for Albanians acting President Arben Taravari after Monday’s leaders’ meeting in parliament. He welcomed the prime minister’s initiative to convene the meeting. “I believe it is a good sign for the whole process to be more inclusive and more transparent. I hope the debate will continue,” the party leader said. Since the country has no other alternative but EU accession, Taravari stated, the constitutional changes should not be seen as a risk but as an opportunity. “As an opportunity to include more ethnic communities in the preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia, at the moment, it is being considered to include Bulgarians, Croatians and Montenegrins as well, maybe the Torbesh even at some point. Every society and every country is richer if it has many ethnic communities,” he said. The AA leader also said that participants in the meeting also discussed the removal of the phrase involving the percentage of the use of Albanian language in the Constitution. “I believe it’d be fair for our fellow countrymen Macedonians to show respect toward those who make up 30 percent of the total number of the population living in North Macedonia. I believe it is dignified to use Albanian language rather than figures or percentages,” Taravari said adding that the political parties haven’t said that they oppose the proposal.

 

Public prosecutors elect new head of prosecution office for organized crime and corruption (All media)

 

Public prosecutors from all over the country on Monday elected Islam Abazi as the new head of the prosecutor’s office for organized crime and corruption. Abazi got 66 votes, followed by Ermon Neziri, 64 votes, Desa Paunovska, 10 votes, and Vilma Ruskovska, 14 votes. The anonymous and mysterious prosecutor from Gostivar, from the same birth place with the leader of DUI Ali Ahmeti, the village Zajas, this is how the media presented the new elected chief Abazi. As the media presented, they could not find a single photo of Abazi on the internet He did not even respond to telephone calls and was the only one from the four candidates that did not show up on a TV debate before the elections nor presented a program. According to the law, Islam Abazi should take office as head of the public prosecutor’s office for organized crime in seven days’ time. According to the law on public prosecution, a total of 163 public prosecutors in the country are eligible to vote for a new head. They voted during working hours in polling stations in five prosecutor’s offices, including the main office in Skopje. Today’s election of a new head of the public prosecutor’s office for organized crime was the first one after the law on public prosecutors was amended. They are elected by the Council of Public Prosecutors following a vote by all public prosecutors in the country. The Council of Public Prosecutors has seven days to hold a session to name the new chief public prosecutor tasked with prosecuting crime, who has a four-year term.

 

Osmani attends CEI foreign ministers meeting in Sofia (MIA)

 

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani is taking part in the meeting of foreign ministers of the member states of the Central European Initiative (CEI), hosted by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov, whose country is holding the CEI Presidency in 2022. According to MIA’s Sofia correspondent, in addition to Osmani, Serbian and Hungarian foreign ministers Ivica Dacic and Peter Szijjarto are also in attendance. In his remarks to the ministers and guests, Osmani said that at the moment it is most necessary to define additional concrete measures through which CEI member states and the organization can help Ukraine. “North Macedonia, in accordance with the possibilities, helped with humanitarian aid but also with considerable technical equipment. We should keep in mind that, fighting for their own freedom, Ukrainians bear the heaviest burden today in defense of international order and democratic principles. Not only as a principle of solidarity, but also in basic sense, we owe Ukraine all the support in dealing with aggression and in rebuilding the country,” Osmani said, adding that regional cooperation instruments have proven to be a solid tool for mitigating those effects. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov opening the meeting, greeted his colleagues and thanked them for participating in the meeting in Sofia. The broad implications of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine on the region and the opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation in support of Ukraine will be discussed during the meeting. Focus of discussion will be how the Central European Initiative region should deal with the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The meeting in Sofia is expected to end with the adoption of a joint declaration by the CEI foreign ministers. There will also be a symbolic handing over of the chairmanship by Minister Nikolay Milkov to the next rotating chair of the Initiative – the Republic of Moldova. Among the official guests of the event are the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) Mathias Cormann, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Lazar Comanescu, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge as well as representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative. Foreign ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Nikolay Milkov and Bujar Osmani, as well as other guests, will participate in the business forum that is being held within the framework of CEI.

 

FM Osmani meets new US Ambassador Aggeler (All media)

 

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani has received the credentials of new United States Ambassador to North Macedonia, Angela Price Aggeler, expressing belief she would contribute to further enhancement of bilateral ties and cooperation. Interlocutors welcomed the development of bilateral relations that are based on traditional friendship and shared democratic values. FM Osmani highlighted the initial results of the Strategic Dialogue as a new chapter in bilateral ties and an upgrade of the strategic partnership, as well as the commitment to defining the future activities that aim to further stimulate reform processes and the country’s democratic development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. FM Osmani thanked Ambassador Aggeler over U.S. continued support to North Macedonia’s Euro-integration process as a significant investment in regional stability and progress. Osmani and Aggeler also referred to the countries’ cooperation as NATO allies, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2023, reads the press release.

 

Rama hosts the US Ambassador to the UN (Radio Tirana)

 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with the US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield. In his speech, head of government said that this visit is an important moment in the framework of cooperation in the Security Council. "I am very, very honored, we are all very honored and we greatly appreciate the cooperation in the Security Council, but also the fact that, during all this time, we have been appreciated for what is real, not as new partners and I am sure it is the result of Your great work of our ambassadors in New York and our excellent team there, as well as your willingness and willingness to ensure that we are an added value," said Prime Minister Rama among others. While, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield appreciated the partnership and cooperation with the Albanian government and the Albanian people. "I had the experience of working in the Security Council with Ambassador Hoxha and he has been an exceptional partner and an exceptional neighbor in the Council. We have been of the same opinion and in that Council at the moment when all 15 of us sit in those chairs, we are all equal, our voices are equal and your voice in the Council has been very strong, very respected and we have shared the same mindset and this has been one of the most important relationships I have had among the 10 elected members of the Council. I am here to thank you! To thank the Albanian citizens, for your extraordinary partnership, for your friendship, and to honor the 100th anniversary of our relations through ups and downs and of course this is a rising time to bring a strong message of support from the American people," said UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. The Ambassador's visit comes after Albania chaired the UN Security Council for a month, while after our country, she will stop in Poland.

 

Thomas-Greenfield: Ready to cooperate with Albania on women in decision-making (Radio Tirana)

 

At the "Women, Peace and Security" meeting held at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the US Ambassador to the UN Security Council Linda Thomas - Greenfield stated that, "the agenda for Women, peace and security, is an agenda that offers a vision in which women are protected, included and play an essential role in forging peace. Our role is to make this a reality, especially at a time when armed conflicts have a disproportionate impact on women and girls". She also said that the US is ready to work with Albania in the UN Security Council to advance the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making for peace and security. "In Ukraine we have seen the horrors of Russian forces who have committed atrocities against women and girls. The UN has verified more than 100 cases of rape and sexual assault since Russia's further invasion of Ukraine. Make no mistake this is a military strategy. It is a military tool. Russian forces are using rape as a weapon of war. There must be accountability for all perpetrators against women and girls. Any lasting peace requires justice for the victims," ​​said Thomas-Greenfield. She said that, "in Iran, women are bravely facing a repressive regime that has long denied basic human rights, that has killed women". "Peace is synonymous with the full participation of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and that is why we must do everything in our power to advance the agenda of "Women, Peace and Security", emphasized Thomas – Greenfield.

 

Assembly of Albania speaker reacts over the tensions in the north of Kosova (Radio Tirana)

 

Assembly speaker Lindita Nikolla expresses her concern on the latest situation in north of Kosova. "The Assembly of Albania is following with concern the developments of the last days in Kosova. The positions, recommendations and solutions proposed by the strategic allies of the Albanians, the US and the EU, should be the roadmap for the Assembly, the government and the institutions of Kosova,” writes Nikolla in her reaction.